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I asked someone the other day about their recent massive growth. They said something along the lines of “I went the opposite way”. That’s what we are going to talk about today. I have three questions for you about going the opposite way and how we can make a big splash with the work that is in our hands. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/099  ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

If the concept of discipline feels suffocating- this episode is for you. We will be discussing discipline and structure, specifically for those who prefer a life of creative expression. Nasimeh Easton is an illustrator & wordsmith based in NYC. Her work has been seen in Buzzfeed, UpWorthy, The Rumpus, and all over the streets of New York. When I asked her what has been game-changing in her business she told me discipline. Now, if you usually squirm at being told you need to be “disciplined” and you feel like it's a punishment- lean into the way Nesimeh is able to translate its power in her own life while still honoring the muse. TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: How to tactically reel in creative bursts to make progress in your goals Game-changing disciplines to implement into your creative business Becoming a more courageous version of yourself Show Notes: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/098 Ask Heather a Question: www.heatherparady.com/ask Connect with Nasimeh Easton: www.nasimeh.me  Follow Heather on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/

Does it feel like it will take forever to get your creative project off the ground? Are you at the point of giving up or wonder if it will ever happen for you? In this episode, I connected with Destiny Macon, engineer turned film maker who walks us through her journey of developing her film Talk Black from idea to getting it on HBO Max.  Destiny Macon's unique perspective of being a black woman, a mother, an ex-engineer, and a filmmaker working outside of Hollywood will inspire you to get started no matter where you are in life and pursue your passion relentlessly. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/097  ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Approaching your work from a place of possibility How time is sometimes a GOOD thing Finding your unique voice and having the courage to lean into it. Constructive brainstorming and how to filter through feedback Connect with Destiny Macon: www.hushgirlpro.com    CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Frustrated with your results? Maybe we need to ask better questions. Today we are discussing how to ask questions that activate the pre-frontal cortex of our brains instead of asking emotional questions that only give emotional results. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/096  ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady

Do you struggle with memorizing lines, parts of your speech, or maybe your nerves are so shot on stage that you stumble over words despite the fact that you spent HOURS going over the material? In this conversation you will hear from Josh McCartney, a public speaking and memory coach who walks us through a couple of simple memorization techniques and a few things we can do to build charisma and better connect with those around us.  ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/095 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Creating a memory palace, A dot point system, and why all memories aren't created equally What do you do when your memory has failed you and you go absolutely BLANK A couple of tips for building charisma and why “energy is generous” Connect with Josh McCartney: https://www.instagram.com/joshmccartneyofficial/   CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

If your dreams feel far far away. I need you to listen to this. You are about to hear a story that is not only going to inspire you but also gives tactical things you can do today to reach over and bring that wild dream of yours just a bit closer I connected with Learnmore Jonasi, Multi-Award Winning African Comedian who started his comedy journey in a village in Zimbabwe, through multiple counties in Africa, all the way to winning National Awards including the People’s Choice Award winner in Steve Harvey’s Stand Up Spotlight competition. In this conversation, you will hear Learnmore’s strategy for getting on more and bigger stages, his mindset around tremendous work ethic, and why you always need to be doubting yourself. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/094 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask  TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Not getting crushed in the midst of rejection  What he has learned working with hundreds of decision-makers Outgrowing mentors and finding “your people” Developing a point of view and why doubting yourself is GOOD Connect with Learnmore Jonasi: www.learnmorejonasi.com  CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Wanna put yourself out there more? Feel awkward though because literally no one in your immediate circle does what you want to do? Do you feel abnormal? In today's episode I share with you ONE thing that has radically changed my life while going the unbeaten path. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/093 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

If you have ever wondered what it feels like to run a full-time creative business while following your dreams and passions, you are about to find out. Instead of spending 30 minutes talking about all the perks of being your own creative boss (which trust me, there are many) instead you are going to hear a super honest conversation about mental well-being. I connected with Kitiya Palaskas, a Craft-Based Designer in Australia whose studio for over 13 years has been (among many things) crafting for global brands like Lego, Adidas, Disney, etc. Kit is one of the most down-to-earth and honest people I have talked to in my years of podcasting, and I'm so grateful that with every question I had in regards to marketing, niching down, or the realities of running a successful creative studio, she always brought the conversation back to mental health. Enjoy.  ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/92 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Why specializing might not be right for everyone Getting your first few gigs (and networking the right way) Being strategic with your energy when you are balancing multiple things Creative wellbeing and putting your mental health first always Connect with Kitiya Palaskas: https://kitiyapalaskas.com/    CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Ever been jealous of a super “creative” person? Maybe you feel like you are “kinda” creative but wish you could come up with awesome ideas as good as (fill in the blank person). I have some good news for you. Research is showing that our brains are wayyyy more malleable than what was previously thought. And guess what? Creativity is something you can develop, no matter how old you are. I ran across a content creator on TikTok who is in London getting her masters in Science Communication. Her name is Julie Hoeflinger and she brilliantly shares content about the latest research in neuroscience- but in a way that is easy to understand. I saw a series she did on creativity and just had to have her on to explain scientifically why creativity is not an innate gift, but a skill that can be developed through practice and reinforced by our brain's neuroplasticity (don’t worry we will explain that too). ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/091 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Daily habits that will increase your creativity What research has found to be the biggest predictor of creative potential As society is our creativity fading? Why in the world, don’t we take more advantage of what our brain can do? Connect with Julie Hoeflinger: https://www.tiktok.com/@jhoef78   CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

How do we honor “The Muse” and have a strong practice? How do we balance masculine energy (moving the needle) with feminine energy (going with the flow?) Here are a few of my thoughts. Find me over on Instagram @heatherparady and let me know what you thought about this episode. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/090 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Wanna make a few extra hundred bucks a month? Maybe relieve some of the financial pressure you are putting on your main business or creative pursuit? Don’t overlook the power of a side hustle y’all.  Today we have Travis Brown, a 3x award-winning marketer, 10k creator, podcaster, multiple business owner who inspires new creators to dominate their social. Side note, he calls himself the “Side Hustle King” In this conversation, we dig into why the unsexy work might be the most profitable, how to let go of the mentality that your income needs to come from one source, and which side hustles will stand the test of time.  ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/089 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Developing multiple income streams and embracing unsexy work How to identify side hustle opportunities Timeless side hustles that will stand the test of time  And why “Boring businesses win all the time.” Connect with Travis Brown: www.socialboom.com  CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Wanna level up your videos? Tell better stories and really capture your audience?  Today I connected with Mark Sommerville, the former Creative Director for one of the biggest creators in the world (Zach King). With over 5B Views and counting, clients with over 125M Followers, Mark now helps creators and brands with creative direction, feedback, and creative process optimization. In this conversation, we dig into how to make your videos more engaging, why some creators gain massive traction and others do not, and how rapid output for a concentrated amount of time might help your video content take off. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/088 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: How to make your videos more entertaining and engaging Mark walks me through one of my ideas and how he would map it out as a video The key to getting more comfortable and confident on camera Outside of tactics- what separates great creators from those who never see traction? Connect with Mark Sommerville: https://marksommerville.com/  CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

This episode is a little different yall. We are talking with content creator Gavin Dees who has built a loyal community online of over 1.5 million followers through his situational humor about pop culture and current events. But as of late he has been talking about something else…Jesus. In this conversation you will hear a very honest discussion about Christianity, new agism, spiritual callings, and why Gavin believes that we should never “compartmentalize parts of ourselves for the algorithm”. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/087 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Having the courage to not compartmentalize parts of yourself for the algorithm What was lacking in “New Ageism” for Gavin and what he found instead Stepping into your spiritual calling (and not being afraid of showing that side of yourself in your content) Connect with Gavin Dees: www.gavindees.com    CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

We are fed the same message about content creation over and over. Be consistent, use a hook in your videos, post at this time of day. Yada yada. What moves the needle are not these tactics alone. The reason people to hit subscribe, comment below, or tell a friend about your work is the heart, conviction, and SOUL you bring to your work. That’s the scary part, right? I connected with Darlenne Helena, CEO of Helena Media, content creator with over a quarter million followers online, and someone I would say has some fire in her bones. In this conversation you will hear how to tap into your VOICE through your content and make a true difference in your work.  ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/086 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Humanizing your content and not limiting yourself to one topic What is “fast food” style content? Why creators need to “Address the elephant in the room” Why hooks in your videos aren’t enough  How to tap into higher level content BEYOND tactical stuff  Connect with Darlenne Helena: https://darlennehelena.com/  CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Why do we discount ourselves before giving others a chance to? It is self-sabotage to control rejection by first rejecting ourselves- we know this- but how do we move past it? ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/085 Michael’s Episode: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/083 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask Confidence Episodes: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/003 https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/032 https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/039 https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/068  CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Are NFTs still a thing? What is going on with this AI craze? How will emerging tech effect our work as creators? Listen y'all we are about to go down a quick rabbit hole talking about some pretty wild stuff (but don't worry we will emerge and go back to our regular scheduled programing).  In this episode, I connected with Ty Greenfield, a Web3 Consultant and the creator of NFT and Chill Podcast, to discuss the future of Web3 and why as creators we need to be mindful with not only what we make, but how we make it. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/084 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: What is the future of Web3? Where is the intersection between Web3 and AI? How can we mindfully use AI as creators?  Brief discussion about the end of the world:) Connect with Ty Greenfield: https://linktr.ee/NFTandChillPodcast?fbclid=PAAaZ1iyrUiB2beYDGm6TBeD_PbNlc9aU9xosPJtYf5cLp1A2_9Ed_mPSK0sY  CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

If you want to reach people- you have to meet them where they are at. Even if YOU are super passionate about x-topic it doesn’t mean that you will be able to engage others and onboard them into your cause. So how do you take BIG ideas and simplify them? How do you know when you are being too confusing giving TOO much information?  Today I connected with Michael J Boorman, the founder of Wisdom Made easy where he is helping 90,000 people get wiser by sharing wisdom in a way that is easy to understand. In today's episode, he will teach you how to catch people's attention and simplify big ideas in an engaging and effective manner. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/083 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: How to strip a message to its bare bones so your audience “gets it” What should you ask yourself in order to KNOW if you have simplified your idea enough?  How simplifying information into a visual form makes it more accessible  Connect with Michael J Boorman: https://www.instagram.com/wisdommadeeasy https://wisdommadeeasy.com/  CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Are you looking for your “big break”? Praying to get bigger opportunities in your life? My agent told us something the other day that was later confirmed by a football game I was watching. What am I talking about? Everyone wants a big break. But are we prepared and ready to meet the weight of opportunity?  ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/082 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

Is it possible for your creative work to STAND OUT without being divisive? The common advice in brand building is to be controversial and it seems as though that those who are ruffling the most feathers are the ones making all the waves. Today we are talking with Deke Copenhaver an author, consultant, host of the Change Makers podcast, former major in Augusta, Georgia, and a founding partner with Starts with Us a nonprofit movement to overcome extreme political and cultural division in America.  In this conversation, we dig into how Starts with Us is proving that “empathy is marketable” and how we as creators can learn not only how to diffuse tense situations around us, but actually stand out in our work by promoting unity. ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/081 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Diffusing heated conversations  Promoting unity even in the midst of difficult topics How creators can make a difference through their work Mentioned in the show: Deke Copenhaver: https://deke-copenhaver.com/  Starts with Us: https://www.startswith.us/ Episode with Tony McAleer: https://open.spotify.com/episode/32k92BVhqcHCXUhlLd5Uex?si=f0JnXKbeRe-_L0SQZlZKww   CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?

If you are a content creator, you have to study storytelling. You may not be writing novels, but we have an opportunity to not only create better work but connect deeper with our audience by studying the greatest form of communication– story. What better person to ask about creating better strories than an award winning playright with over 25 yeas of experience of writing? Today I connected with Jack Canfora, the Artistic Director of the online theater company New Normal Rep. In this conversation, we dig into his writing process, not being attached to lines we love, putting ourselves in our audiences shoes, and being confident enough to put our work consistently out there. Check out Jack’s latest project, Step 9, a free audio play available on all podcasting platforms.  ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/080 ASK A QUESTION: www.heatherparady.com/ask TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Understanding what is important to the story and “removing all the good lines” Looking at the world around you for inspiration and creating through a lens of empathy Developing thick skin and looking for honest feedback Connect with Jack Canfora: https://www.newnormalrep.org/  Step 9: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-normal-reps-play-date/id1619647549    CONNECT WITH US! Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on IG:https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatherparady Follow Heather on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady?